Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, Jan 10: A pilgrimage meant to culminate in devotion ended in devastating tragedy when a 15-year-old boy from Bantwal was killed in a horrific lorry accident while returning from Sabarimala. The fatal mishap occurred late on Friday night, January 9, near Kottakkal, close to Calicut in Kerala.

The deceased has been identified as Lakshmeesha Poojary (15), son of Ashok Poojary, a resident of Koppala near Durganagar in Kuriyala village, Bantwal taluk. Lakshmeesha was a Class 9 student of Siddakatte School and had undertaken the pilgrimage along with his father and other Ayyappa devotees.

Ashok Poojary, Santosh Poojary, Sachin, Gopala Poojary, Lakshmeesha Poojary, Kiran and Varadaraj — all residents of Durganagar in Kuriyala village — had travelled to Sabarimala in an Innova car after observing the Ayyappa vrata. In all, nine devotees from Kuriyala had set out on the pilgrimage on January 7.

After completing the darshan, the group was returning home on January 9 when their vehicle developed a mechanical fault near Kottakkal. While the car was pulled over to the roadside for repairs, Ashok Poojary remained seated inside the vehicle, whereas the driver and seven others stood in front of the car with the bonnet open, attempting to fix the problem.

At around 2 am, a speeding lorry came from behind and rammed into the stationary car with tremendous force. The violent impact hurled the pilgrims onto the road. In the chaos, young Lakshmeesha fell beneath the lorry and was crushed to death on the spot.

Another pilgrim, Varadaraj, sustained critical injuries and is currently undergoing treatment in hospital. The remaining devotees suffered minor injuries and have also been admitted for medical care.

The tragic incident has plunged Kuriyala village and the Bantwal region into deep mourning, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a sacred and fulfilling pilgrimage.